THE TOP SHELF INDIAN SPIRITS

Toasting some of the finest sips from around the country

- Magandeep Singh

The last two decades have been watershed years for the Indian alco-bev industry with a new breed of producers cropping up on the scene. This was a younger demographic, and comprised of those who were fed-up of being offered sub-par drinks to stock their bars and had realised that there was nothing stopping them from producing world class spirits right here on Indian shores. It certainly helped that many of them didn't enter this realm to earn their daily bread but more so as a passion project. In other words, it was more a matter of pride and prestige than profit and payrolls so it was easy to bring a 'no compromise' attitude to the table and make it stick.

What made these passion projects viable entrepreneurial ventures was that these young startups were not merely content to make a good drink but also sought international validation. A spate of awards at internationally recognised competitions and platforms made even the most skeptical Indian consumer sit up and take notice and a sip as well. The rest, as one might say, is history in the making and the recent release of a limited batch (102 bottles only) of luxury Mahua spirit, Six Brothers, from South Seas distilleries-priced at an eye-watering ₹1.02 lakh-has made all the right moves to make the alcohol industry take cognisance of India's presence on the scene.

The moment has gained such traction that we are now seeing new brands faster than we can take them home and try them. Here then, in my tasting experience, are some of the top products that have launched recently and are definitely worthy of your reckoning.

Cherrapunji Gin